Introduction
Iraq’s education system has faced many challenges in recent years, including conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. However, the government is committed to rebuilding the system and providing quality education for all children and youth. The National Education Strategy for Iraq 2022-2031 (INES) is a comprehensive plan that outlines the government’s vision for the future of education.
Key Goals of the INES
The INES has three main goals:
- Ensure the provision of quality education for all and at all levels of general education
- Ensure the provision of high-quality TVET that meets labor market needs
- Develop a high-quality educational system that encourages broad participation through multiple efficient and effective educational paths for excellence in teaching, learning, scientific research, and community services that will achieve a comprehensive renaissance in Iraq
Strategic Directions
To achieve these goals, the INES outlines four strategic directions:
- Access and equity: Ensuring that all children and youth have access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
- Quality and relevance: Improving the quality of education and ensuring that it is relevant to the needs of the labor market.
- Governance, educational and financial management: Strengthening the governance of the education system and improving its financial management.
- Human resources: Developing a qualified and motivated teaching force.
Priority Programs
The INES also identifies a number of priority programs, including:
- Infrastructure: Expanding and improving school infrastructure.
- Safe and healthy learning environment: Creating a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
- Education continuity and lifelong learning: Promoting education continuity and lifelong learning.
- Attractive learning environment: Creating an attractive learning environment that is conducive to learning.
- Curriculum and assessment: Developing a relevant and up-to-date curriculum and assessment system.
- School leadership and community participation: Strengthening school leadership and community participation.
- Institutional management and leadership: Improving the management and leadership of educational institutions.
- Financial management: Strengthening the financial management of the education system.
- Crisis management: Developing a comprehensive crisis management plan.
- Partnership with the private sector: Increasing private sector engagement in education.
- Teacher management: Improving the management of the teaching workforce.
- Pre-and in-service teacher training: Providing quality pre-and in-service teacher training.
- Pre-and in-service teacher training: Providing quality pre-and in-service teacher training.
Cost and Financing
The total cost of the INES is estimated to be around 140 billion Iraqi Dinars. The government is committed to providing the necessary funding to implement the strategy.
Coordination, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
The INES will be implemented through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and other stakeholders. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework will be used to track progress and ensure that the strategy is on track to achieve its goals.
Conclusion
The National Education Strategy for Iraq 2022-2031 is an ambitious plan that has the potential to transform the country’s education system. The government is committed to working with all stakeholders to implement the strategy and provide quality education for all children and youth.
Source:
World Bank
